Chapter 3

Here are those pictures how Sly looks like ! 

 

Murray and Bentley sneaked behind the bulding where the event would happen. Bentley had some hack code ready for the secret enter, and from there they should look after the clockwerk pieces.
It didn't took Sly that long to find a great outfit. He didn't knew exactly wich 'gentleman' Carmelita had a taste for, but it difinitetly hided his identity pretty well.
Instead of his blue shirt he normally wore on, he changed himself into a old-fashioned gentleman who was ready for the masquerade. And ofcourse a different mask.
Since his fur was grey with black stripes, the red and white outfit fit him good. And the red and black mask looked good on him too. How he got these things? Obviously stole them.
No one would ever recognize him, he was 100 % sure about that.

"Sly! Are you ready for the mission?" Bentley asked him. Each of them had small microphones and headsets, so they would be able to communicate with each other.
"I am so ready for the party" Sly answered him.
"Good! Murray and i will work from here but there is something i've forgot! Carmelita's boss is with them this night, so you have to convince the boss you were invited for the maskball and have to impress Carmelita."
"No problem Bentley, i know exactly what to say."
"Try to keep your 'charm' down don't go too far! She is very picky with men, especially with dancepartners!"
"She wouldn't doubt anything with me". Sly answered with a smirk on his face. He had alot of confidence in him. If he knew how to 'press her buttons' the rest would be a piece of cake. Hopefully...
"Alright! Let's go!".
The 'secret spy' conversation had ended and luckily for Sly, there wasn't any password for coming in. His outfit was enough for him to enter.

Carmelita showed her 'officer-sign' at the enter and was welcomed by the guards. She could feel they were pretty amazed by her look. Even their whispering weren't hard to be heard. "Wow, the inspector is looking amazing tonight! Do you think i'll get a chance?" "Ofcourse not, you moron! No one ever had got the chance. Have you forgot her temper? One touch and you're dead" Carmelita laughed by their comments, they were actually right. No one dared to touch her and she was always treated by respect...Except for one person.
But a woman must keep her modesty. Be gentle and nice, but not too easy to get. Many men thought she played 'hard-to-get' but it ended up with she showed them 'never-gonna-happen'. Wich made her a little bit dissapointed. She really wanted to get to know some respectfull men, but she couldn't do anything about her nature either. She was just like that.

As she walked across the room, feeling eyes on her, she couldn't really decide where her boss was. He must be pretty disguised this evening, since she couldn't recognize anyone in this room. But that made it only more intresting. The masquerade theme was beautiful looking. Interpool had made it good, more than she expected. Music wasn't bad either and she was hungry just the scent of the food.
"Ah, Miss Fox! Glad you came" her boss handed the welcome drink to her and gave her a big smile.
"Boss, i barely could recognize you." She answered and accepted the welcome drink. "But how could you recognize me then?" She showed her 'officer-sign' to her guards, so obviously they knew who she was. But she didn't knew she was that recognizable.
"How can someone not recognize your young beauty, Miss Fox? Your beautiful hair! " He laughed and took a sip of the welcome drink.

Carmelita just smiled at his comment, didn't knew what to say. It didn't minded her either. Even though, they worked professionally, he was kind a fatherfigure for her. She never found out why, but different events, Interpool had planned before, he always procted her somehow. And when he wasn't around, he always trusted her work.
"Oh, this drink tastes wonderful, boss!" A flavour of strawberry and vanilla made her toungue melt.
"We did our best, Miss Fox!"
"I do believe that" She answered.
Carmelita walked a bit away from her boss and looked after for who else was there. She got eyecontact with other females who were very elegant looking. But their eyes weren't that comfortable. They laughed at her and walked away as soon their dancepartners came. She could guess they were jealous of her look.
She looked around once again and got an eye for a very handsome looking gentleman who talked with someone she didn't knew. He must been a member of the law enforcement, but she wasn't sure. She was about to take a step towards them until she got interrupted by her boss.
"Miss Fox! Come over here and meet my old friend!" She turned around and saw a stranger who smiled at her, as she walked back to them.
"This is Mr. Bank, my old good friend from ages ago" Her boss introduced.
"My pleasure to meet you, Miss Fox" Carmelita felt a bit sceptic by he took her hand and kissed it gently. But she admitted he was a handsome looking man.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Bank. My name is Carmelita Montaya Fox, but you can just call me Carmelita" She smiled and bowed firmly.
"Call me Jack" he answered.
" , why don't you keep Miss Fox in company, while i'll meet up with others?" The boss asked and took another drink from the table.
"That would be a hornor to me. Such a lovely looking lady". He commented her look.
"Good. Carmelita, you know what you're supose to do, if there is anything suspicious going around!"
"Understood boss" she answered back.

The boss walked away. After a few minutes of talking back and forth, she must admit he wasn't that bad. She actually liked his personality and the best was, he was a fox too, but it wasn't that easy to spot when he dressed himself that good.
"So, Carmelita. How long have you been working here and can i dare to ask, what's your mission now?"
"About 3 years. Well, as an officer, i must keep investigation private. All i can tell, there is a masterthief named Sly Cooper. I've chased him for a long time now, but never got the chance to handcuff him." She didn't liked to recall that stupid name, but since the gentleman asked, she didn't minded to answer either.
"Never got the chance? How come? Such a lovely lady, i wonder why he hasn't fainted just the sight of you." he smirked.
"Oh stop it.." She chuckled. "Well, he is pretty sneaky. No wonder why his name is Sly. What about you, Jack?" She quickly turned the focus on the gentleman. She honestly didn't want to bring any 'wierd' feelings just the mention of that ringtail.
"Oh me? Well, i am an old frind of your boss."
"How did you two met?" Carmelita asked.
"Such a long story. Could i dare to ask you for a dance, love?" He smiled and suggested his hand for her.
"Well, you better be good, Jack. I am very picky with my dancepartners". She smirked and accepted his hand. She wondered why he changed the subject very quick, but he might have his reasons as she did. "Oh, by the way, could you please keep my purse for me?"
"No problem". Carmelita handed her purse to him and he hided it in his pocket.

They both walked across the room and as soon the new track of classic music started, they began to dance.
Jack dominated her very well and Carmelita was surprised how good he was at dancing.
Everytime he turned her around and made charming movements, she couldn't help feeling a bit twist in her stomach. Her dress wasn't that hard either to deal with. Wich was a relief for her.
"Not bad, Jack. I am impressed" She commented when they stopped danicing.
"My honor, love"
They bowed firmly to each other and walked back to the drink table, where they had left their drinks.
"Well, Carmelita. It was my big pleasure to have your company tonight, i must leave. I have some deals to take care of" He took her hand and kissed it gently.
"My pleasure too, have a good night, Jack." She smiled at him and couldn't deny she was dissapointed by his leaving. He gave the purse back and gave her the last smile.
As soon Jack walked away, leaving Carmelita a bit lonely, a laugh from a female woke her attention. This time, it wasn't those jealous women, but a young looking girl who laughed and blushed by the stranger beside her.
Carmelita got her sceptic eyes back. She might not recognize others, but something suspicious ran through the room. She couldn't exactly tell why. She often got that 'sixth sense' when something isn't right in her sorroundings.
The stranger made an eyecontact with her, and she quickly looked away. She took a sip of her drink and acted like nothing was going on. When she looked out of her eyecorner, he suddenly vanished. Where could he be? And who was he? Few questions ran through her head.

"Good evening, young lady. How beautiful you look tonight."
A stranger's voice interrupted her thoughts and in surprise she turned around and gazed a completely new man.
"Oh, i am sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." His voice was very calm. His costume and mask didn't looked that 'fancy' but it suited him pretty good. The colors were bright, especially the mask. It gave that kind of mystirous, yet beautiful look. Though she still had the 'sceptic eyes' on just in case.
"Oh, you didn't scared me at all. I was just in my own world" She answered cold. Studiying him and tried to recognize if she knew him. But this time, it was a hard one. She couldn't even tell what kind of spiec he was. He looked like a grey street cat, also similar to a...Racoon. Her stomach somehow exploded of an alarm, but she didn't made to take care of it, when she heard a female voice beside her.
"Carmelita Fox. I haven't expected seeing you here."
"Constable Neyla?! What are you doing here?"
"Things been boring lately and i thought looking by tonight. I must admit i like it. Oh, by the way. What a handsome man you have there". Neyla said with a smirk and took a pretty good look on the stranger. She hadn't the most perfect-looking-masquerade-costume, but her dress suited her body figure and she looked very seducive. No wonder why the men always choosed her first.
"Oh, pardon me, Neyla, but that's not my man. He just came by. Besides, i did my best to 'cover' up my self. It's a masquerade after all. So it wonders me, how you could be the second one to recognize me". Carmelita said and took another sip of her drink.
"Well...I don't think if you've heard it before. But your hair." Neyla smiled.
"Oh...Tell me more about it.." Carmelita answered sarcasticly.

Sly was reliefed by no one could recognize him, even though he was so sure. He was that clever to paint his fur with grey which almost matched him. He painted the black stripes he had and luckily the clothes hided the most of the mistakes.
He admitted that Carmelita was hard to get in than she used to be. He didn't knew if it was his 'undercover' or her...Beauty. Oh, how he couldn't take his eyes of her, when he tried to convince the boss with some lies. He told the boss he was in the law enforcement for years ago, and the boss had might not remembered him. But good the 'convincing part' ended really quick, because he just couldn't take his eyes of the most beautiful woman in the world. Carmelita Montaya Fox.
Her boss and Neyla were completely right, it was her hair. Long, thick, curly, darkblue hair, looked like a dream. Everything about her was just beautiful! But one thing annoyed him. Jack who danced with Sly's loveintrest. He felt somehow...Jealous.
But, he was glad his plan worked better. Neyla came by unexpected, and since Carmelita just danced with that man, she probaly won't dance for a while. So Neyla was a good target and it was a great chance to impress Carmelita.

"I haven't introduced my self. My name is Ken". He hold his hand for Carmlita and she accapted. He kissed it gently and looked straight into her eyes. Her stomach twisted extremely. Those eyes... Something was going on here and she knew that for sure!
"Inspector Carmelita Montaya Fox, but call me Carmelita" she answered.
"An inspector? Wow, sounds intresting. Who's your target?" He asked.
"A masterthief who i really looking forward to see in jail soon!" She said sharply. Sly had to try to hold his mask. It was hard not to come with comments, but he must not expose himself.
While Sly kissed Neyla's hand, Carmlita took an extra look on him. There was something suspicious about this 'stranger'.
"You haven't captured Sly Cooper yet?" Neyla asked.
"Unfortunenatly" She sighed.
"By the way. You two seem to be a great couple. Why don't you just leave your work behind and start dating him?"
"I beg your pardon?" Carmelita was chocked. How could Neyla just suggest that? It made her sick.
"I mean, there must be something between you two" She chuckled.
"Over my dead body! I am not going to date that filthy brat! Could you imagine how much trouble he gave me?!"
"No, i couldn't imagine, but he looks you think he's here tonight?"
"He better not be!" Carmelita took a big sip of her drink and counted to ten, calming herself down. Neyla was always like that. Seducive, but annoying too.
"Sounds like there some drama going on." Sly commented, tried his best to act like he didn't knew anything.
"Oh Ken! You should see those two, they are-."
"Ahem!" Carmelita interrupted and gave Neyla a death glare.

There was a short awkward silence and Sly decided to break it quickly.
"Constable Neyla, may i have a dance with you?" Sly asked.
"Enchanté" She smiled and accepted Sly's hand.
They both walked to the dancefloor and Carmelita had a good eye on them. She couldn't help, but she really suspected that stranger for something. She took another drink from the table and decided to examine those two dancers. She couldn't believe it, but she had to admit 'Ken' seemed to be a 'perfect' dancer. How he dominated Neyla was far more good than Jack. She was impressed.
Carmelita threw all the bad thoughts away, she really wanted to enjoy this evening and no 'Cooper' talk. After this ball, she would be back at work again.

"Wow, thank you for a great dance, Ken."
"My pleasure" Sly answered.
They both were on the way back to Carmelita. Carmelita put her smile on and tried to act more 'intrested'. Afterall, she wouldn't ruin a good chance.
"Neyla, he is quiet an accomplished dancer" Carmelita smiled and looked at 'Ken'.
"I tried to make him look good." Neyla smirked.
"Please Neyla, his skills far surpass you" Carmelita smirked back at Neyla.
Sly couldn't stop smiling. He was more than glad. Two beautiful females talking about his dancing skill. The best was, he impressed Carmelita.
"I supose you would like to have a dance later, Miss Fox?" Sly said, continued to act different, than he used to do.
"I wouldn't mind. I accept" Carmelita answered.
"I'm glad" Sly said and walked away from the ladies. He hided in a corner for catching up Bentley and Murray
"Bentley! You there?"
"Sly! I think we got some problems here!" Bently said worried.
"What's wrong? I thought you had everything in control!" Saly said.
"Well... That secret agent had somehow... Escaped with the clockwerk pieces!"
"You kiddn'?!"
"Nope, but i may find out where he left! Anyways, how is your mission going?"
"Perfect! Can't be better!"
"Good! Keep your mission, until i've found something out!"
"Understood!".

Sly ended the conversation and walked across the room. Looking around a bit. He saw Carmelita still discussed with Neyla. He barely heard what they were talking about, but Carmelita seemed tempered as always.
Even though he had a fun night he was sad that the Clockwerk-pieces were gone. But he must keep working, so he decided to go back to the ladies.
"Carmelita, you who are an great inspector in Interpool and you haven't captured Sly Cooper yet. I am amused" Neyla laughed.
"Shut your mouth Neyla, you have no idea how hard it is" Carmelita snapped back.
"Is it really that hard? I doubt that."
"I don't care. Besides, it's none of your bussiness" Carmelita answered cold.
"Oh, the gentleman is back" Neyla changed the subject.
"Pardon me ladies. I needed some fresh air." Sly lied.
"Oh, is this Fox too much to handle, my dear?" Neyla laughed.
Carmelita rolled her eyes.
"No, not at all Constable Neyla. By the way, you seem to talk alot about Sly Cooper. Who is he?" Sly asked. Just to hear what Carmelita had to say.
"I'll let Carmelita tell you everything. I have something to do. It was my pleasure to dance with you Ken." Neyla said.
"Thank you, Constable Neyla." Sly answered.

Neyla walked away and Carmelita was reliefed. She really didn't liked the company with Neyla at all.
"Well for your question Ken. As an inspector, i must keep my investigation private. As i said before, he is a masterthief, which i really looking forward to see in jail. I've been chasing him for a long time. He is such a headache" Carmelita sighed.
Sly tried to hold his chuckle back.
"I see. I understand Carmelita. It must be a had target" Sly said.
"Never thought it would be that hard. But i admit he is pretty good at escaping. That stupid ringtail often has his sneaky tricks prepared. How? I don't have any clue at all. But one day, Ken. One day you'll see my with a big smile, when i put my handcuffs on that foolish raccoon!" Carmelita smiled by the thought of it. Ignored the pictures she recalled of last night.
Sly laughed. It was so funny, how Carmelita really looked forward to arrest him and yet she didn't had any clues that he actually was standing right in front of her.
"Well..Such a shame he isn't here tonight. You might have a chance to catch him though".
"A shame?" Carmelita chuckled "Ken, you have no idea how glad i am not to see that foolish raccoon. And he better not show up tonight!" She answered and drank her drink empty. "Mhm...I really love those drinks. It really taste wonderful! Shouldn't you try one?" Carmelita changed the subject and handed him a drink.
"Well, i love to taste one, but i think you forgot out little deal" Sly answered.
"A deal? What deal?" She asked confused.
"You owe me a dance" Sly chuckled and suggested his hand for her.
"Oh, that's right!" Carmelita sat her drink on the table and accepted Sly's hand.

Carmelita loved the way Sly danced with her. Far more good than Jack did. It felt like a dream.
Gentle, yet charm and she could never count how many time her stomach twisted.
But one thing was sucpicious. His eyes... Thoses eyes were somehow ...Familiar.
"Hmm, you look familiar to me, Ken. Are you in law enforcement?" Carmelita asked.
"Well, i often deal with the cops when i am on the job. I was in the law enforcement years ago". Sly answered.
"Why aren't you anymore?" She asked. Tried to fish something up.
"A long story, but let's not ruin the perfect moment" he smiled and hold her tightly around her wait. Their faces were so close and Carmelita frozed. She didn't knew what to do about it. Is he going to kiss her? She didn't knew. But those..eyes, she couldn't figuret it out. It looked like...
Carmelita didn't made to figure the eyes out, she got interrupted by warm lips on hers. She frozed. How could she not notice at all?
She pulled back gently and blushed a bit.
"Oh, i am sorry..Couldn't help my self" Sly chuckled.
"No..It's okay, Ken." Carmelita answered. She was surprised but at the same time very glad. Finally she could act more softly than she used to be. She always scared the men away, but it seemed that 'Ken' liked her alot. Unfortunenatly she didn't knew it was her target, the masterthief Sly Cooper, which was standing right in front of her. Even stole a kiss from her once again.
"I am glad." he answered and letted her go.
Sly was indeed very happy! What a lovely chance to steal another kiss from Carmelita once again. Even that easy. The evening couldn't be better. Standing with the most beauitful woman in the world. Enjoying every second with her and how amazing to feel her softness towards himself. Unfortunenatly, she liked 'Ken' and not him as Sly, but that didn't made him sad either. One day, he'll be able to steal far more precious, than just a kiss.
"Sly! You better cut of your romance now! 'Cause you're gonna run! Don't answer me, just run away to a good hideplace, and i'll explain you everything". Bently warned and without any questions, Sly waited a bit for Carmelita being distracted. Lucky for him, the boss called her.
"Miss Fox! The food is almost ready, hurry up and meet one of my best friends!
As soon Sly got the chance he dissapeard right away.
"Ken, i have to go back to my bo-...What?" Carmelita turned back around and Ken was gone. "What..I don't understand..Where is he?" She mumbled to her self. She got really confused and sad at the same time. She didn't made to thank the most nice guy. Even the food was almost ready to be served for the guests.
Carmelita sighed deeply and walked back to the boss.